K'taka Governor hosts reception to Freedom fighters

Bangalore, Aug 9 (UNI) Over 300 freedom fighters were honoured by Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur, who hosted a reception to the heros on the occasion of 66th anniversary of Quit India movement today.

According to a top official in the Rajbhavan, over 500 invitations were sent to the freedom fighters but nearly 20 per cent of them had come back as either they were dead nor their addresses were not found.

Despite the advancing age with most of the invitees were in their 80s or more the freedom fighters took part in the function with enthusiasm and were seen exchanging pleasantries with their fellow freedom fighters.

They narrated with atmost enthusiasm on how they took part in the freedom struggle, how they got beaten up by the police then or about their 'stay' in the various jails in the state.

Mr Thakur looked pleased as he spoke to as many of them and presented them with shawls. The Governor, himself a freedom fighter who once served a six-month jail term in the then Calcutta Jail along with noted national heros, was seen interacting with them with a big smile on his face.

One Mr Narayana Rao aged 92 was heard asking his friend, "What are you doing now a days." All the invitees, who had brought one of their relatives to help them reach the sprawling lawns of Rajbhavan, were presented with shawl and treated with 'kesar halwa' and hot and crisp 'masala dosa', while there was a free flow of hot beverages.

In Mysore freedom fighters joined hands with school children in an impressive procession to mark the anniversary of Quit India' movement.

Procession began from freedom fighters memorial park and pass through the main streets in the city.

Earlier president of the Freedom Fighters Association Krishamurthy hoisted the national park at the park where more then 25 freedom fighters from the district participated.

UNI RS-BSP TS1737